Creating Independence For People With Disabilities. provides assistance to disabled persons - American Business Clubs AMBUCS - Brief Article

Accent on Living, Spring, 2000

AMBUCS (American Business Clubs) has been a service club since its inception in 1922. It's primary focus is not to assist new businesses, as many think, but to give individuals, especially those with disabilities, opportunities for happier and more fulfilling lives.

It was in 1948 that AMBUCS National, began to focus on disabled people when it adopted a program to help children with cerebral palsy.

In 1955, they broadened the scope and began giving scholarships to college students majoring in occupational and physical therapy, or speech pathology and hearing audiology. To date, 9,900 students have received more than $5,000,000. Awards range from $500 to $1,500 annually. There is one two-year award of $6,000. About $225,000 is awarded annually.

Then in 1994 the national organization adopted the mission, "To create independence for people with disabilities." This is done in different ways in different communities. There are 140 local chapters nationally and each chapter has a focus. For example, the Bloomington, IL chapter builds ramps so disabled individuals can get in and out of their own home. The Cornbelt Chapter has built about 145 ramps since they began this project in 1993. Another chapter provides accessible playground equipment. Local chapters also have fund raisers to donate scholarships, medical devices, and buy AmTrykes(r) for young children.

In 1998 a program called AmBility was approved. This combination of mobility and AMBUCS signified an expansion of AMBUCS charitable effort. This project gives AmTrykes(r), a therapeutic tricycle for children with disabilities, to rehabilitation units, childrens' hospitals and pediatric clinics in all 50 states.

AMBUCS first became involved with these tricycles in 1990 when a physical therapist asked a chapter if they could provide them. The Longview Chapter in Texas took the challenge and the AmTryke was born.

Chapter members hand built each bike until National AMBUCS took over the responsibility of AmTryke, Inc. in 1994. A company now manufactures them. Local chapters provide AmTrykes(r) free of charge to individuals, schools and clinics. A larger AmTryke has been built for children nine years old to early teens.

AMBUCS also have chapter-sponsored Youth Auxiliaries who work with members on service and fund raising projects. There are about 5,600 AMBUCS members. Some of these members are disabled. The median age is 47 and 75% of the members are men.